As we become busier each day with the needs of our children, our work our social life, etc., often the needs of our spouse become our last priority, or end up on the back burner. This is because we assume that they know how important they are to us, and that we love them, so we do not worry as much about showing them.

By not keeping the needs of our spouse on the front burner, it breeds a feeling of indifference and lack of caring. When your spouse starts feeling this way, or if you start feeling this way, it leads to cracks in your relationship and often problems that take years to get over or fix.

So, don't commit this crime by always making sure your spouse knows you care. Kiss them good bye, call them during breaks at work, leave love notes on the mirror, etc. A two-minute phone call during your lunch break is all it takes to save yourself from this crime. It is also extrememly smart to set aside time to have a weekly date night so your relationship can continue to grow.

The Crime of Parallel Living

This is when you live in the same house, but are not really together interacting, This means that basically you live together, but barely ever cross paths. This is when indifference takes a step further. This is like going from being married to being roommates. Obviously this can often be due to scheduling conflicts, so if you want to avoid this in your relationship, you need to make some sacrifices so that you can spend time with one another. This may mean giving up your sporting league, or night out with friends so you can spend more time with your spouse. Sometimes it means limiting how many activities your children are involved in, as this can keep you away and busy.

Pick and choose the things you will be involved with, your spouse will be involved with, and your children will be involved with in order to leave time for one another, and the things that really should matter most, like your family. Or, if having activities is a big priority, learn ways to make them into family time. Consider doing activities together, like having the whole family take guitar lessons, or attend sporting events together.

The Crime of Failure To Communicate

Have you ever had a discussion with your spouse where it seemed like you were totally on different planets? The fact is that sometimes we focus on talking, and not communicating. This can mean that we leave out key elements that clue our spouse in to why it is a big deal, or what the situation is. If you feel like you are not communicating well with your spouse it is time to set aside distractions and reconnect so that when you do talk, and when you have needs that are not being met, you have a chance to rectify the situation.

The Crime of Killing Passion

There are certain behaviors that will bring passion in marriage to a screeching halt. Passion and romance are not always the same thing, and just because you are not in the mood for sex, per-say, does not mean you can not be passionate with your spouse. Killing the passion in your marriage is what leads to the "I do not love you anymore" conversations. So, show passion in ways besides having sex. For example, when they are leaving for work, do not peck their cheek, or shout a goodbye as you run out the door, instead, take a minute to kiss them passionately and tell them you love them. Remember how you kissed goodbye when you were first dating? Try doing that more often. Show your spouse that they are your passion, or that you are passionate about them by sending them a thoughtful text message thanking them for being them, or informing them that you miss them during the day, etc.

If you work to not kill your passion, then you daily interactions as well as our intimate moments will be more rewarding.